Is A Trip To New Orleans A Good Idea??

[KharmaTrain]

A couple of us who have been following the NOLA situation want to see things for ourselves. We'd like to travel within the next two months. I've been in contact with several people who are from the area and have been down there and get mixed reactions. Some say we should go...bring cameras to document what is going on...rent a car or find a local who will show you around. Others say things are still so fluid the additional bodies down there right now aren't helping...they're concerned that people will spend a couple days partying in the French Quarter and think all is fine and not bother to look at the other problems.

I'm curious if you had the chance to spend a couple days to tour the city, would you? Where would you go and what would you try to see or do to help? For those live (lived) in the area, what's your thoughts?

[NMDemDist2]

1. i'd ask the folks over here.......

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topics&forum=360

[xultar]

2. If you really love NOLA you should go. The businesses need the help

money wise. I think it is o.k. for people to go party in the quarter to bring life back.
If you aren't planning on working don't go into the devastated areas. Lots of people go to take pictures
but not to help that is the issues the locals have with the lookie-lous.

But, people need to go to NOLA and spend money to help the mom and pop businesses stay alive.
The residents often don't have jobs to spend that is what the tourists need to do. Artists need you to buy art.
Musicians need you to go and buy music and listen.

Maybe stay and go to a local church on Sunday and give to a family in need etc as a gesture of good will.

What is funny the locals didn't like tourists coming into the neighborhoods anyway. They liked the tourists to stay in the
quarter cuz they considered them to be drunken party idiots. So if you go into the neighborhoods go to work and build relationships.

It's not going to be pretty though so be prepared for that.

[KharmaTrain]

3. Great Input...Thank You

That was the gist of our discussions...if we're gonna go, we want to help and bear witness where needed to keep this city's plight in the public eye.

The motivation has efforts to help rebuild several non-commercial radio stations in the city. One operated from the 9th Ward and specialized in the local music scene. Sadly many precious rare recordings were probably lost when their studios flooded...the staff has been scattered all across the south and they're trying to rebuild these stations from literally the ground up. They can't rebuild until the status of the area is stabilized.

I first visited New Orleans in 1964 and have always had a special love for the city and its culture. Definitely we'd like to go where the need is most...to show support for those who really need it. I saw a report about Harry Anderson's efforts and would love to sit in on one of his town halls rather than throwing money at large corporations that lucked out and now are attempting to exploit the situation.

Thank you for your comments...

[xultar]

5. I used to live in the upper 9th in the Bywater. I'm considering a move

back to NOLA. I'd like to have input into the rebuilding of the community. I'd like to run for some type of local office.
I wanted to run for office while I was there. But now, I think is a great time to heal and I'd like to be a part of it.
Maybe I'll see you there!

[KharmaTrain]

6. I Hope That Happens...Sounds Like They Could Really Use You

I've been helping out WWOZ Radio...a station that had its studios in the 9th ward and transmitter at UNO...everything was wiped out and, sadly, lots of precious old recordings. Some have been recovered...muddy, but hopefully the old vinyl and ceramics will clean up, but lots of tapes were ruined and it's going to take a lot of work to rebuild this living legacy to the music and people of the city. There's also a radio operation that assists the blind that suffered large damage and they're facing a tough time getting funding to rebuild.

One of the people who works at one of the station was the one who invited me to come and take a look...he's living in Atlanta right now, but he travels back at least every two weeks and brings people along with him to bear witness to what's happening. Some are also "recruited" to don masks and pry open waterlogged cabinets and see what's still salvagable.

The other night, CNN showed Harry Anderson holding a town hall in his club about what's happening in the districts outside the French Quarter and looked like a lot of local activism going on there. Yes, this would be in total support of the local artisans, workers and residents. There's so much great musical history in that area that needs to be preserved. My hope is to return in a year or two and see the parades and bands back at work in the area.

Good luck and keep me posted on how things go for you.

Happy New Year...

[Hippo_Tron]

9. Let me know if you run for office

Depending on what office you run for I might not live in the right area to vote for you, but if I do, you have your first vote right here.

[KamaAina]

11. Get your community input right here!

http://www.rebuildinglouisianacoalition.org

I, another DUer and a few dozen of our closest progressive friends are looking for exactly that: community input. And it's "community" in the broadest sense: neither of us has lived in the city for 15 years or more.

I'd like to run for some type of local office.

And I'd probably do street work for you, if I got back in -- but based on bitter past experience, it is beyond difficult for a true progressive to get elected down there.

edit: the link to the RLC forum, the place for your input, is down at the bottom of their home page

[recoveringrepublican]

4. be careful. I know a wonderful soul who was arrested for

trying to distribute supplies there.

http://neworleans.indymedia.org/news/2005/11/6363.php

[kevinbgoode]

7. Yes I would

For one thing, the city is begging for badly-needed tourist dollars, so if you can find a place to stay that isn't displacing someone who needs a base while rebuilding, then you are pumping something into the economy. Another thing, I saw on television last week that one place sponsors tours of the striken area, which is (sadly) another way for someone living there to make some money. Moreover, you could volunteer for one day at the soup kitchen, or connect somewhere and help paint for a day...anything to give someone down there a little break and still have time to look at things.

Republicans have made it rather clear that they don't seem too concerned about reconstruction - after all, this is an American city and everyone knows Americans don't want to spend money taking care of themselves. One thing you can do is get a room at a B&B - those are privately owned and they are more likely to have space that could be rented during the stay.

I think what is important here is to not be too much of a "tourist" - yes, spend money at retailers - they need the income and the state/city desperately needs the tax revenue. But you could do something nice, too - like pick a family and bring them something really great from a nice restaurant for a noon meal...or even, if you can afford it, buy a few Lowe's and/or Home Depot cards and just hand one to someone who is working on their home. Even a little amount can help buy some paint or other things.

[Hippo_Tron]

8. As someone who is living there currently, I say come on down

I'm fortunate to be living in an area that was only mildly effected by the hurricane (there are many parts of the city that are like this). Tourism has been slow and those who have said that the local businesses could use the money are absolutely correct.

My advice would be to come stay and rent a car. Having your own car is really going to be the only way to get around if you REALLY want to grasp the full effect of what happened to the city. You can stay downtown and be walking distance from the touristy areas (many of which are open again) but anything else you are going to have to drive.

And definately bring the cameras. During the day you can drive around and survey the city. Most locals should be able to point you in the direction of the damaged areas and the not damaged areas. At night you can enjoy much of the nightlife that you could before the storm. Many bars I think are closing at 2am, though, and no restaurant that I know of is open late at night anymore.

PM me if you have any questions and I will do my best to answer them.

[XOKCowboy]

10. What about JazzFest and Mardi Gras??

Tourism was the lifeblood of pre-Katrina New Orleans and they'll need tourism dollars to reconstruct. What's the latest word on these two hotel filling events?

I have a friend that was going to be playing at JazzFest and he's sure interested in what's going on.

[funkybutt]

12. ABSOLUTELY! Y'all come on down!

There is still much fun to be had here in New Orleans. Our city needs the tourists to return. There's never been a better time to get reservations at great restaurants in the Quarter. The music scene is still great. There's always something to do.

I'd recommend staying at a locally owned place, like a B&B. Here's a listing of many of them http://www.bedandbreakfast.com/new-orleans-louisiana.html

From experience, I'd personally recommend http://www.gillhampiercehouse.com/ , Chimes B&B or http://www.gardendistrictbedandbreakfast.com/

If you decide to come, pm me and we may be around to show you around.


Here's a pic from a Second Line parade Saturday

[funkybutt]

13. Another Pic of the Second Line Parade

We honored those who were lost in/since Katrina.

[Jacobin]

14. I spent Christmas and New Years there

COME ON DOWN.

New Year's had a great crowd, although a fog over the river nixed the fireworks display.

The Quarter is almost back to normal, although less crowded. A lot of restaurants are open.

Take a drive through the lower Ninth Ward and it will shock you. The news doesn't cover it worth a flip.

New Orleans would love to have you and the workers there would love to have some business from out of town guests.

I urge you to please come to New Orleans.

:hi:

[Raine]

15. I wouldn't go

health-wise I don't think it's a good idea.:-( No telling what you will be breathing in and what the long term damage to your body could be. x(

[HeeBGBz]

16. Geez, woman, you live in Los Angeles

Your own air quality is probably just as toxic.

It's a crapshoot anywhere.

[Raine]

23. Heh

you make a good point, hadn't thought of that. :wow: All I can say to that my lungs have probably built up resistance to crap that's in the air here after being exposed to it for so long. :D It's fresh air that would probaby kill me. :yoiks: ;)

[HeeBGBz]

27. There is a problem with Black Mold down there

I don't know how wide spread it is. I suspect mostly in close proximity to what's left of flooded homes.

[proud2BlibKansan]

17. I would love to go

Sounds like a marvelous idea to me.

I would tour the city and I would also go east to Slidell and then over to the MS gulf coast. It's only an hour or so drive from NO to Biloxi.

[drthais]

18. best idea on this thread, IMO

ok
so come on down here
bring a car or rent a car
(rental from Baton Rouge easier than from New Orelans - airport wise_)
DO have a place to stay - this is not something you can maneuver once you are here

and, yes
after you view the city
drive east - past Slidell and to the Mississippi Gulf Coast
the entire coast looks like the ninth Ward

it still makes me ill to even talk about it
I don't know what the future holds for us

[proud2BlibKansan]

19. I am stuck here for awhile

I think I am going to Crawford for spring break; but if not, I will come to NO.

[KharmaTrain]

22. Very Good Info...how about St. Bernards Parish?

Can you get down into the Placquimines...or are there any boat trips going down into the Delta? I remember taking a small craft up and down some of the marshes that I'm sure no longer exist.

Sounds like Baton Rouge is a better jumping off point than NOLA still...but we're looking at the beginning of March...maybe more options will be available by then.

Cheers...

[merh]

20. 3 casinos have opened in Biloxi - There are hotels available now

and many volunteer groups to work with in helping individuals clean, rebuild their homes.

I know it sounds crazy, but the casinos are packed with out of towners, they come to gamble (give to the tax base) and to sight see the devastation. When the poster on this thread said the entire Coast looks like the 9th ward, that poster isn't joking.

We need the money to come into the city to help rebuild. If you need any contact information, pmail me.

intheflow and usedtobesick will be here at the end of the month to help with a volunteer group. If you are interested in that route you may want to pmail one of them.

[merh]

21. Has anyone heard from Swamp Rat?

I miss his images.

[funkybutt]

24. yes, he's okay

He's not currently in New Orleans, that I know of, but he wants to get back. He posts in the Hurricane Survivors Forum from time to time, too.

:hi:

[merh]

26. Thanks, I guess I didn't make myself clear though.

Has any one heard from him in the last couple of weeks. He went to NOLA a few weeks ago and I haven't heard from him since he left.

I post in that forum too. I have been in contact with him since the storm.

[KamaAina]

25. I've been turning this over myself for a while

I have a number of carryover vacation days that need to be used by the end of March. Of course that screams "Carnival!", but it's already January, and flights, not to mention lodging, can be tough to get even with a full schedule.

Besides, the general craziness of Carnival might interfere with the real reason I'd be there, which would be to connect with various associates both old and new, and see if I can't put the contents of my gray matter (brain, not temples :-) ) to work for the rebuilding effort.